Saudi columnist deported from Malaysia

New York, February 13, 2012--Saudi columnist Hamza Kashgari,
whose Twitter postings about the Prophet Mohammed have drawn death threats and
government reprisals, was deportedfrom
Malaysia back to his home country on Sunday, according to news
reports.

Kashgari, who fled
to Malaysia last week after being threatened, was placed on a private plane
bound for Saudi Arabia, where he will likely face trial, news reports said.
On Monday, the Saudi edition of the pan-Arab paper Al-Hayat reported that a public
prosecutor in Jeddah had requested permission from the Bureau of Prosecution
and Investigation to bring a case against Kashgari on charges of "disrespecting
God" and "insulting the Prophet" on Twitter. Convictions could bring the
death penalty in the kingdom.

The journalist had posted material on his personal Twitter
account detailing an imaginary conversation with the prophet in which he
addressed him as an equal, news reports said. Kashgari, a columnist for the
Jeddah-based daily Al-Bilad¸ deleted
the post six hours later and issued a formal apology, according to news reports.

People who posted on Twitter in support of the journalist
could also be summoned for questioning by the prosecutor, the Al-Hayat article
said.

"We are concerned that Hamza Kashgari has been deported back
to Saudi Arabia where he may not receive due process and a fair trial," said
Robert Mahoney, CPJ's deputy director. "He has already received death threats.
We urge the Saudi authorities to ensure that he receives a fair trial under the
law."

Kashgari's family lawyer obtained a court injunction in
Malaysiato prevent his deportation,
but Malaysian authorities claimed they did not receive it in time, news reports
said.

Kashgari was arrested at Kuala Lumpur airport while on his
way to New Zealand, where he had planned to seek political asylum, according to
news
reports.